Submission Guidelines
Ideas worth publishing.
Have a perspective to share, research to publish, or an issue you believe deserves greater attention? Join EPJ as a writer or editor and help shape conversations about politics, public policy, and society.
Application deadline
October 30th, 2026
All article proposals and editor applications are due by 11:59 p.m.
Writers
EPJ welcomes Rutgers students interested in exploring political issues, conducting research, and contributing thoughtful analysis to public discourse. There are two ways to submit your work.
COMPLETED WORK
Submit an Article
Submit original work written for EPJ, a class paper, or an academic research project that will be revised to meet the journal’s publication requirements.
DEVELOPING AN IDEA?
Propose an Article
Have an idea you want to explore? Submit a proposal and, if selected, collaborate with a student editor to develop your research, writing, and argument into a completed article.
Article Proposal Guidelines
Proposals must include the following materials:
1. A one-page article outline
Your outline should address the following questions:
- What event, issue, person, or development will your article examine?
- How will you approach the topic, and what research or sources will you use?
- Why is the topic timely? What recent developments make it worth examining?
- Who is most affected by the issue?
- Why is this topic important to discuss?
2. At least three reputable sources
Include sources relevant to your proposed article. Additional sources are encouraged because they help the editorial board assess your proposal’s research foundation and feasibility.
Submit completed articles and proposals through the application portal below. If you have questions, contact eagletonpoliticaljournal@gmail.com.
Publication Requirements
EPJ publishes thoughtful, well-researched articles that contribute to conversations about politics, public policy, and society. Use the following guidelines to prepare your work for editorial review.
NEW JERSEY & THE STATES / US & THE WORLD
1,500–2,500
words for these categories
CAMPUS & CULTURE
1,000–2,000
words for articles in these category
What We Are Looking For
01. Clear, Polished Writing
Articles should be well-organized, readable, and carefully edited. Review your work for grammatical errors, unclear sentences, and inconsistencies. Completed submissions should be as polished as possible, as they may receive limited revisions before selection.
02. Chicago Style
Articles must follow the Notes and Bibliography system of the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, including appropriate formatting, footnotes, quotations, and bibliographic references. Consult the Purdue Online Writing Lab’s Chicago Style guide.
03. Credible Sources
Use a range of reliable sources representing relevant perspectives and research. Evaluate source credibility and potential bias, verify information, and prioritize evidence-based analysis. For additional guidance, consult the University of Georgia Libraries’ source-evaluation guide.
04. Accurate Use of Evidence
Claims presented as facts must be supported by reliable evidence. Ensure that sources substantiate your claims, represent them accurately, and are cited appropriately. The editorial board will review sources and citations for accuracy and credibility.
05. Evidence-Based Analysis and Authorial Voice
EPJ welcomes original arguments, distinct perspectives, and critical engagement with existing debates. Develop your own voice while grounding opinions and interpretations in credible research. Distinguish between established facts, competing interpretations, and your own analysis.
06. Originality and Meaningful Engagement
We seek articles that offer fresh perspectives, raise important questions, and contribute meaningfully to public discourse. Demonstrate an understanding of existing debates and explain what your article adds to them. Creative approaches and thoughtful analysis are encouraged.
These guidelines can help strengthen your submission, but publication decisions remain at the discretion of the editorial board.
Editors
Help Shape the Next Edition
EPJ editors work directly with student writers to strengthen research, develop arguments, refine writing, and prepare articles for publication.
We welcome students with strong writing and editing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to provide constructive feedback. Editors collaborate with writers, uphold the journal’s publication and style standards, and help produce clear, accurate, and engaging articles.
Research Resources
Rutgers Libraries offers research guides to help you find scholarly sources and investigate political and policy issues.